Stop speculating about Basilan bombing

MALACAÑANG called on the public on Friday, August 3, to refrain from speculating about the July 31 explosion in Basilan that killed 10 people.

Speaking to reporters in Bukidnon, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said it would be best to await the conclusion of the ongoing investigation into the reported suicide bombing in the restive southern Philippines.

“It’s very easy to claim credit for an attack but we’re not concluding anything yet because investigation has just started,” Roque said.

“For now, I ask the public to cease and desist from making any speculation and let’s await for the final investigation report from law enforcement agencies,” he added.

On Tuesday, July 31, a bomb planted in a white van exploded during a military checkpoint near Magkawit detachment in Lamitan City, Basilan, killing the suspected bomber, a soldier, four paramilitary troopers and four civilians, including a mother and her child.

Hours after the blast, the Jihadist militant group Islamic State (IS), in a statement carried by its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing attack, which it called a “martyrdom operation.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Carlito Galvez Jr., however, dismissed the IS’s claim, saying the they took responsibility “to heighten up the support provided to them.”

AFP spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo also believed that “peace spoilers” or members of the Abu Sayyaf group might be behind the explosion.

Roque refused to reach unwarranted conclusions, especially that the government still lacks sufficient information.

“I would not jump to any conclusions. So far, we know that there has been a local cleric who has been ordered arrested. We know that it exploded in a vehicle and that it killed both passengers and those manning the checkpoint,” he said.

“I still have to get a final investigation report from law enforcement agencies. We are still not verifying that this was an ISIS attack. Authorities are still investigating,” he added.